HC Deb 24 October 1961 vol 646 cc735-6
33. Mr. Manuel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken to provide remand centres as laid down in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act, 1949.

Mr. Maclay

It is proposed to erect a fully equipped remand centre on a site which is being acquired at Larbert. In the meantime, a new building now under construction at Polmont Borstal Institution will be used to provide remand centre accommodation. It should be in operation by next summer.

Mr. Manuel

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of a case of a boy which I sent to him from my constituency who, on first offence and before trial, was remanded to Barlinnie Prison for a period of fourteen days? Does he not think that this casts a stigma which is very difficult to eradicate and interferes with the work of probation officers in trying to rehabilitate youngsters of this age? Does not his reply show lack of concern for the worry which has been expressed by sheriffs, probation officers and children's courts over a very long period? It is twelve years since the Act was passed, and nothing has been done.

Mr. Maclay

I agree that it is desirable to keep young persons out of Barlinnie. Of course they are carefully segregated. It has not been possible to do simultaneously everything we should like to do and it has been considered right to give priority to work with borstal and detention centres.

Mr. T. Fraser

Is the Minister satisfied that he has fulfilled the provisions of the 1949 Act by what he has told us about this extra building at Larbert? Ought he not to have done better? Ought not remand centres to have been provided all over Scotland—remand centres which might be properly supervised, instead of having young people treated as they are at present.

Mr. Maclay

It has not been possible to do everything simultaneously that we should like to do. We had to give priority to what we thought would do the most valuable work to help young people.

Mr. Manuel

Will the Secretary of State look at this situation again? I understand that there is accommodation in a remand home. If he has not the remand centres ready yet, can he not use some of that accommodation where these boys who are considered unruly may be segregated in a remand home, instead of being sent to Barlinnie Prison?

Mr. Maclay

I will certainly examine what the hon. Member said, because I should like to think carefully over the detail of it.